Thiruvananthapuram: RSS State leadership had claimed from day one that Sabarimala issue was going to be a major propaganda in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP State president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai initially rubbished this, but within a few hours retracted. On Saturday, BJP national president Amit Shah said in Gujarat that the central leadership is keen on seeing the “a few lotuses blooming” in Kerala.
Just before BJP national president Amit Shah filed his nomination papers from Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat on Saturday, in his road show, he spoke about Sabarimala issue.
“This time, BJP central leadership is eagerly looking forward to see positive results in Kerala. We are hoping to win a few seats from Kerala. Sabarimala issue is being taken as the main campaign issue,” said Mr Shah.
Ever since the women entry issue in Sabarimala snowballed into a major controversy, it was the RSS leadership who controlled the propaganda while the BJP state leadership played a second fiddle. DC had reported earlier that the state RSS leadership was unhappy with Mr Pillai’s frequent wavering attitude. But Mr Pillai blamed media for negative propaganda unleashed against him.
Mr Shah’s comment on Sabarimala has come at the most opportune time as it was only two days ago, Mr Pillai had claimed that BJP State general secretary K. Surendran’s candidature in Pathana-mthitta will not see Sabarimala temple issue being highlighted.
“Shah’s comment on Saturday is a fitting reply to Pillai’s frequent change of stand. Why should Mr Shah speak about expanding base in South? Pillai has got a feeling that he is an undisputable leader who can ensure a few seats from the state,” said a senior State BJP leader told this newspaper.
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